Court dismisses appeal against Hadid-designed Brisbane towers

Court dismisses appeal against Hadid-designed Brisbane towers

The Queensland Planning and Environment Court has dismissed an appeal against the approval of Zaha Hadid's three-tower complex at Toowong, with the judge saying its "exceedingly high-quality architectural expression" would make a positive contribution to the site.

Images Sunland.

The proposed Grace on Coronation in Toowong, Brisbane, has survived a court appeal.

Images Sunland.

The proposed Grace on Coronation in Toowong, Brisbane, has survived a court appeal.

Images Sunland.

The proposed Grace on Coronation in Toowong, Brisbane, has survived a court appeal.

Images Sunland.

Developer Sunland withdrew a Hadid-designed development proposal for the Gold Coast.

The Queensland Planning and Environment Court has dismissed an appeal against the approval of Zaha Hadid's three-tower complex at Toowong.

The project - Grace on Coronation - is said to be worth $430 million, and will contain 555 units. The 1.5-hectare riverfront site was formerly the site of ABC studios.

The Sunland Group project proposes three towers that taper inwards at the bottom. Locals have dubbed the towers 'champagne flutes'. Two towers will be 24 storeys, and one 27 storeys – despite a 15-storey height limit for the area.

Resident Kate Peta Bell, who lives north of the proposed development, launched a Planning and Environment Court appeal against the development's 2015 approval, but Judge Michael Rackemann dismissed the appeal on Wednesday last week.

Rackemann said that even though the development's does not comply with height restrictions, the tapering design allows for additional public space around the base of the towers.

"On balance, I am satisfied that there are sufficient grounds, in the public interest, to approve the proposed development notwithstanding conflict with the planning scheme," he said.

Another complaint of Bell's was that the proposal was not in tune with the character fo the Toowong precinct, and did not exhibit "subtropical architectural excellence".

In his decision, Rackemann said, "The architectural design will not necessarily be to everybody’s personal taste, but it is an example of exceedingly high-quality architectural expression by an important and acclaimed architect and will make a positive contribution in an architectural sense."

He also acknowledged that Toowong is going through a period of rapid change.

"Toowong is undergoing a rapid transformation consistently with the planning intent for that area," he said.

Toowong's "built form is increasingly being characterised by high-rise contemporary developments," he said.

"The proposal will have a distinctive design and be... refreshing in terms of apartment building design, but that does not make it inconsistent with the emerging and intended character of the area," said Rackemann.

Zaha Hadid Architects has worked on four projects in Australia.

A residential development proposal for the Gold Coast was withdrawn by its developer, Sunland, in September 2016. The development featured almost identical 'flute-shaped' towers to the Brisbane project.

The architects are also working on two projects in Melbourne, one at 582-606 Collins Street, and a second project, a residential tower near the CBD, was unveiled in December.